Research shows that half of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by the age of 14. Youth with mental and behavioral health issues may experience challenges such as academic underachievement, criminal justice involvement and even suicide. Clearly, waiting until children are in crisis and need to be hospitalized or incarcerated is not an economical or effective solution. Successful, evidence-based prevention, early intervention, and treatment programs can literally save children’s lives.

Through activities, role play, video, and demonstrations, participants will learn about signs and symptoms of student behavioral health concerns; how trauma affects learning and what to do about it; how to appropriately respond to young people experiencing mental health issues; and what the Center for School Behavioral Health is doing to improve the psychological well-being of students in Houston.